Nikon 25215 manual Focus Mode, Controlling How the Camera Focuses, Servo AF

Focus

Controlling How the Camera Focuses

Taking Photographs—Focus

This section describes the options that control how your camera focuses: focus mode, focus-area selection, and AF-area mode.

Focus Mode

Focus mode is controlled by the focus mode selector on the front of the camera. There are two autofocus (AF) modes, in which the camera focuses automatically when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, and one manual focus mode, in which focus must be adjusted manually using the focusing ring on the lens:

Option

S

Single-servo

AF

Description

Camera focuses when shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Focus locks when in-focus indicator (●) appears in viewfinder, and remains locked while shutter-release button is pressed halfway (focus lock). Shutter can only be released when in-focus indicator is displayed (fo- cus priority). If subject was moving when shutter-release button was pressed halfway, camera will track subject until focusing is complete and the shutter can be released (predictive focus tracking; 73). If subject stops moving before shutter is released, in-focus indicator will appear in viewfinder and focus will lock at this distance.

Camera focuses continuously while shutter-release button is pressed

Chalfway. If subject moves, focus will be adjusted to compensate (pre- Continuous- dictive focus tracking; 73). Photographs can be taken whether or

servo AF not camera is in focus (release priority).

Camera does not focus automatically; focus must be adjusted manu- ally using the lens focusing ring. If maximum aperture of lens is f/5.6

Mor faster, viewfinder focus indicator can be used to confirm focus

Manual	(electronic range finding), but photographs can be taken at any time,
	whether or not camera is in focus.

Choosing single-servo AF ensures a sharp, focused image. Continuous-servo AF may be a better choice with erratically-moving subjects. Manual focus is recommended when the camera is unable to focus using autofocus.

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